Perspectives

UM Reporter & Cokesbury: The Splintering of United Methodism?

Sun, 19 May 2013 08:35:26 GMT

The Rev. Jeremy Smith contends that the demise of brick-and-mortar Cokesbury stores and the impending closing of The United Methodist Reporter are two clear signs of the splintering of the denomination.

The Collapse of Journalism and the Journalism of Collapse

Fri, 17 May 2013 13:45:19 GMT

University of Texas professor Robert Jensen analyzes the prophetic, apocalyptic implications of the collapse of journalism in the face of human response to life-threatening global crises.

A Remembrance of the United Methodist Reporter

Thu, 16 May 2013 20:01:00 GMT

What do you say when a beloved friend close as kinfolk dies?

Growth Imperative

Wed, 15 May 2013 14:18:38 GMT

Growth is essential for Christian maturity, but it's growth of the spirit and not necessarily of numbers, writes the Rev. Dan R. Dick.

In Defense of 'Experience' and the Wesleyan Quadrilateral

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:15:00 GMT

The Rev. Morgan Guyton defends the place of human experience in John Wesley's four-part theological method, currently under fire as being misused by those who support marriage equality.

What If ...? A Vision of Annual Conference

Tue, 14 May 2013 06:24:14 GMT

The Rev. Ben Gosden asserts that God's Holy Spirit is always present at Annual Conference; we just don't always recognize its Presence.

And So It Begins Again: #UMC Clergy Trial

Sat, 11 May 2013 10:44:00 GMT

The Rev. Jeremy Smith looks at the controversy surrounding United Methodist statesman Dr. Thomas Ogletree, now under fire for having conducted a marriage ceremony for his gay son and his partner in New York, where such unions are legal.

The Idolatry of the Mission Statement

Sat, 11 May 2013 10:13:00 GMT

The Rev. Morgan Guyton takes a look at the church's current love of coming up with pithy "mission statements" that don't connect well with true gospel imperatives.

'By All Means, Save Some!'

Mon, 06 May 2013 10:44:00 GMT

The U.S. Senate's recent failure to pass gun safety laws "broke the hearts of gun victim’s families everywhere and also broke their vow to represent the interests of voters," writes retired Bishop Felton E. May.

Some Help for Your Church's Communications Problem

Mon, 06 May 2013 10:43:00 GMT

The Rev. Teddy Ray follows up on his previous post about church communications with some practical remedies for getting out the message.

Why This Conservative Christian Stopped Supporting the Death Penalty

Wed, 01 May 2013 13:51:00 GMT

It took him a long time, but the Rev. John Partridge has decided that the death penalty gets in the way of God's will for redemption and reconciliation.

Institutionalizing Envy

Wed, 01 May 2013 13:43:46 GMT

Try as he might, the Rev. Andrew Burd-Harris finds "no win in comparison" from the metrics of Vital Congregations.

Some Days ...

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:06:00 GMT

The Rev. Ben Gosden ponders the value of faith's uncertainties amid the call for Christians to engage with the world around them.

Bombshells and Church Bells

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 19:21:49 GMT

The Rev. Jim Burklo urges creative approaches to fostering interest in peace and reconciliation rather than violence.

Death Rattles or Birth Pangs?

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 15:12:00 GMT

Retired pastor Mike Higgins finds some hope in the struggles of a local congregation to set its mission and priorities.